What the Miami Dolphins can expect out of Frank Gore in 2018

Frank Gore has to be corralled by a group of Viking defenders after a six yard gain. Photo by: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The 35 year old, Miami native is looking to end his career where is all started. Frank Gore is a Miami Dolphin in 2018, but what does he have left?

Gore has been a steady force from the running back position since he was drafted out the University of Miami in 2005. The No.5 all-time leading rusher in NFL history, has only missed the 1000 yard mark, four seasons out of thirteen.

His least productive season came as a rookie, when he only rushed for 608 yards. Five seasons later he rushed for 803 yards, only playing in 11 games due to injury. (According to Pro-Football-Reference.com)

Once he left San Francisco for Indianapolis, he never had less than 960 rushing yards. Doing so over 30 years old, and carrying the ball 260 times each season.

So what’s my point?

Frank Gore’s running style has always has been built off of power, balance, and a forward lean that allows him to go forward more times than not.

The Dolphins can expect the same Frank Gore we have seen the last three season’s for the Colts, here’s why.

The Colts brought Gore in to be the steady running game Andrew Luck has never had. Gore held up his part of the bargain ,(2953 yds, 13 tds)while Luck was on and off the field dealing with his infamous shoulder injury.

The beauty of the situation he’s walking into in Miami is Head Coach Adam Gase, is not asking Gore to be the main horse in the stable. The speedster Kenyan Drake is looking to become “The Guy”,in the Dolphin backfield.

Kenyan Drake is forced to have all the pressure of proving himself as a starting running back. In my opinion, Frank was brought in to do all the dirty work Drake may not be completely ready to consistently do.

Running between the tackles for tough yards, and pass protection are two qualities that make a good running back into an elite one. Its early to say Drake cant do these things, but why not bring in somebody who excels at it?

In an Adam Gase offense, using running backs in the passing game is vital to open up the offense completely. Also a quality that Frank Gore possesses, with 443 career catches. (According to Pro-Football-Reference.com)

In a nutshell, I don’t expect Frank Gore to have 1000 yards this year. His impact can be greater than a 1000 yard rusher. The example he can be for a young back like Kenyan Drake, is can what can help the Dolphins franchise for the future, if Drake takes on what he learns.

Expect Frank Gore to be the “Smash” in a “Smash and Dash” combination, I think will really help the Dolphins offense. As well as relieve some pressure on returning quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Short yardage situations, and the red-zone, are going to Gore’s bread and butter at 35, which was one of the major problems in Miami last season.

The motivation of him playing in his hometown, gives me all the belief that Frank’s going to continue to run with the power, and balance that has gotten him into the records books.